Hammers boss Zola warns: It's not all about Bellamy - City have ten other dangerous players

27 February 2009 03:20

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West Ham[LNB]manager Gianfranco Zola wants his side to focus on the gameagainst Manchester City[LNB]on Sunday, rather than worry about the return of Craig Bellamy to Upton Park.[LNB]The Wales striker - who scored both goals for City in their UEFA Cup win over FC Copenhagen last night - left to join Mark Hughes' Eastlands revolution during the January transfer window in a £14million deal.[LNB]The move, though, left some Hammers fans frustrated at the loss of the talentedforward, who arrived at Upton Park from Liverpool [LNB]for what was then a club record £7.5million.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Craig Bellamy was more than just a number for West Ham....[LNB] [LNB] ...before he turned his back on them[LNB] Zola, however, insists all that is now in the past and everyone must turn their attentions to bouncing back from the midweek FA Cup replay defeat at Middlesbrough [LNB]with a strong performance.[LNB]'I hope he [Bellamy] can have a good reception, but that is not down to me,' said the West Ham manager.[LNB] The numbers don't add up: How the Premier League would fare with FIFA's foreigner quota[LNB]Sheffield United demand £45m from West Ham over Tevez affair[LNB]WEST HAM v Manchester City: Noble's absence adds to Zola's woes ahead of City arrival[LNB]West Ham v MAN CITY: De Jong back in contention after missing out on UEFA Cup victory[LNB]WEST HAM UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]'However, it is not my concern. It is important we focus, I focus, on winning the game. He is a big player and he is one of the City players we will have to look after.[LNB]'But I have already spoken a lot about him leaving and now that is it on that subject.'[LNB]Sunday will give Zola, who took over at Upton Park in mid-September following Alan Curbishley's departure, the chance to renew acquaintances with City boss Hughes.[LNB]Zola, 42, played alongside the Welshman when Chelsea won the FA Cup at Wembleyin 1997.[LNB]'It will be a pleasure to see him and to shake hands with him again,' said the Italian. 'We were partners - and had a very good partnership together.'[LNB] Old team-mates: Zola (left) and Mark Hughes at Chelsea[LNB] Zola added: 'When we were playing together, he always had the attitude and thequalities to be a manager.'[LNB]Hughes, of course, has a wealth of riches at his disposal now following City's takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group.[LNB]Zola, though, maintains he is fully focused on getting the best he can from what he has available rather than worry about who might have more funds at other clubs.[LNB]'I am really enjoying my experience here because I have got fantastic players,' he said. 'They are making it very, very enjoyable for me, so I do not envy anybody.'[LNB]West Ham never really got going at the Riverside on Wednesday night, where theyfell behind to an early goal from Stewart Downing.[LNB]After a decent run of results around the turn of the year, the Irons have now gone five games without a win.[LNB]However, victory on Sunday could lift Zola's men back up into the top eight, and possible contention for a UEFA Cup place.[LNB]'We are really dying for it [a win] again, and that is the kind of feeling we must have,' said Zola.[LNB]'The guys are not willing to sit on this too long and we are determined to put another run of good results together. We know what we are capable of achieving and will work very hard to make this happen.'[LNB] The numbers don't add up: How the Premier League would fare with FIFA's foreigner quota[LNB]Sheffield United demand £45m from West Ham over Tevez affair[LNB]WEST HAM v Manchester City: Noble's absence adds to Zola's woes ahead of City arrival[LNB]West Ham v MAN CITY: De Jong back in contention after missing out on UEFA Cup victory[LNB]WEST HAM UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB]MANCHESTER CITY FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB] [LNB]